Natural Sciences

Rice researchers earn prestigious Defense Department grants

Rice professors Qimiao Si and Jeffrey Tabor are recipients of prestigious 2023 Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowships from the Department of Defense.

Four Rice undergraduates latest Owls to win coveted Goldwater Scholarship

Rising Rice seniors Maria Hancu, Alex Lin, Ryan Wang and Ruofeng “Charlie” Liu are the latest Owls to win the coveted Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious honors bestowed each year upon pioneering STEM undergraduates across the country planning to pursue doctoral degrees.

Cellular process that fuels plant growth yields surprising insights

A new study by Rice University bioscientists explains how structures inside plant cells collaborate to fuel germination. The findings could shed light on corresponding mechanisms in human cells.

Rice and Texas partners’ energy transition proposal named semifinalist for major NSF Engines grant

A coalition between Rice University, the Greater Houston Partnership’s Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) and four other leading Texas research universities has been named a semifinalist for the National Science Foundation Engines program.

Order in chaos: Atmosphere’s Antarctic oscillation has natural cycle

Rice researchers have discovered a natural cycle that repeats every 150 days in the north-south oscillation of the Southern Hemisphere’s prevailing westerly winds.

Plasmonics conference showcases Rice for international audience

Some 250 researchers attended the 10th International Conference on Surface Plasmon Photonics (SPP10) at Rice May 21-26.

Ancient viruses discovered in coral symbionts’ DNA

Rice bioscientists have discovered fragments of ancient RNA viruses in the genomes of the symbiotic organisms that live inside corals and provide them with their dramatic colors.

Rice, Baylor developing ‘glyco-immune’ checkpoint inhibitor

Researchers from Rice and Baylor College of Medicine are developing a first-of-its-kind “glyco-immune” checkpoint inhibitor for breast cancer survivors who develop metastatic bone cancer.

Physicists discover ‘stacked pancakes of liquid magnetism’

Physicists from Rice and Ames National Laboratory have discovered “stacked pancakes of liquid magnetism” in layered helical magnetic materials.

Fish thought to help reefs have poop that’s deadly to corals

Rice bioscientists have discovered the feces of fish that were long thought to promote healthy reefs can damage and, in some cases, kill corals.

Faculty bestowed with award recognizing superior teaching

Nine faculty received the 2023 George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching, which honors top Rice instructors by votes from alumni who graduated within the past two, three and five years.

Faculty, staff, students honored for excellence in teaching, mentoring, service

Each year, Rice honors members of the university community who have served students through outstanding teaching, dedication and service. Here are recipients of some of this year's awards.

Rice-developed device helps premature babies in developing countries breathe without damaging eyesight

A new medical device developed by Rice University students will help premature babies in developing countries receive life-saving oxygen without damaging their eyesight.

32 Rice students, alums win NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

The National Science Foundation has awarded Graduate Research Fellowships to 32 current, incoming and former Rice students, and selected another six for honorable mention.

Rice mourns passing of Manik Talwani

Rice is mourning the death of Manik Talwani, professor emeritus in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences.